Afternoon Thoughts:

Are You a Come Alongside-er?

We have the power to kill or give life. Many of the messages we hear from the world are the killing kind. We're told: "You're not smart enough; you're not thin enough; you're not fast enough; you're not GOOD enough." The Bible says, "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit — you choose" (Proverbs 18:21 MSG).  In a world where people are beat up and put down, we can provide a counterbalance to the negativity. We have the power to give life by telling one another: "You matter to me. Your life counts and has purpose. God loves you, and you're incredibly valuable to him." Our words may be the only encouraging thing some people hear in a day. We can become the voice of God's grace in their lives — helping with encouraging words (Romans 14:19). In the New Testament, the word "encouragement" often means "to come alongside." We're to come alongside one another, "building each other up," just as the Holy Encourager comes alongside us to teach us and remind us of the way of Jesus (John 14:26). We become encouragers when we stop looking down and in and start looking up and out. All we have to do is look around — the need and opportunity for encouragement is everywhere. "Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us" ... and this "will build them up" [Romans 15:2 NLT]... May your conversation this week be peppered with phrases like: "I believe in you," "I'm grateful for you," "I see God using you," "I appreciate you," and "I'm glad you are in my life." Be encouraged; there is good news of great joy for all people, and his name is Christ the Lord. -Better Together Devotional: What On Earth Are We Here For? by Rick Warren